Genetic Recombination and Biotechnology Applications One Shot Notes and MCQs

Genetic Recombination and Biotechnology Applications

Genetic Recombination

Genetic recombination is the exchange or rearrangement of genetic material between different organisms or within the same organism, leading to new genetic combinations. It plays a critical role in genetic diversity and is also utilized in biotechnology for producing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and drugs.

Types of Genetic Recombination

Transformation
- Definition: Uptake of free, foreign DNA from the environment into a bacterial cell.
- Process:
  - DNA from a lysed bacterial cell is released into the environment.
  - Competent bacteria absorb this DNA.
  - If incorporated into the host genome, the bacteria exhibit new traits.
- Applications: Used in molecular cloning and genetic engineering to introduce new genes into bacteria.
Conjugation
- Definition: Transfer of genetic material between two bacterial cells through direct contact.
- Process:
  - A donor bacterium (with the F plasmid) forms a pilus to connect with a recipient cell.
  - The plasmid or chromosomal DNA is transferred through this pilus.
- Applications: Conjugation helps in spreading antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria.
Transduction
- Definition: Transfer of genetic material between bacteria by a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria).
- Types:
  - Generalized transduction: Any bacterial gene can be transferred by the virus.
  - Specialized transduction: Only specific genes near the viral DNA insertion site are transferred.
- Applications: Useful for gene mapping and genetic manipulation.
Protoplast Fusion
- Definition: Fusion of two cells (often from different species) whose cell walls have been removed.
- Process:
  - Enzymes (like cellulase or lysozyme) remove the cell walls, creating protoplasts.
  - Protoplasts from different cells are fused using polyethylene glycol (PEG) or electric shocks.
- Applications: Used in plant biotechnology for the production of hybrid plants.
Gene Cloning
- Definition: The process of producing identical copies (clones) of a gene or a DNA segment.
- Process:
  - A target gene is inserted into a vector (like a plasmid).
  - The recombinant plasmid is introduced into a host (like E. coli), which replicates the gene.
- Applications: Production of genetically engineered drugs and research in genetic therapies.

Development of Hybridoma Technology for Monoclonal Antibodies

Hybridoma: A hybrid cell created by the fusion of a specific antibody-producing B-cell with a myeloma (cancer) cell.
Process:
1. Immunize a mouse with an antigen to generate an immune response.
2. Extract B-cells from the mouse’s spleen.
3. Fuse these B-cells with myeloma cells to form hybridomas.
4. Hybridomas are screened to select those producing the desired monoclonal antibody.
5. Selected hybridomas are cultured for large-scale production.
Applications:

- Production of monoclonal antibodies used for diagnosis, treatment of cancers (e.g., Rituximab), and autoimmune diseases.

Biotechnology-Produced Drugs

Biotechnology has transformed the pharmaceutical industry by enabling the development of drugs that were difficult or impossible to synthesize chemically. Below are some key biotech drugs:

Activase (Alteplase)
- Type: Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).
- Use: Dissolves blood clots in patients with myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism.
Humulin (Recombinant Human Insulin)
- Type: Genetically engineered insulin produced by E. coli.
- Use: Treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
- Advantage: Eliminates the need for animal-derived insulin, reducing allergic reactions.
Humatrope (Somatropin)
- Type: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH).
- Use: Treats growth hormone deficiency in children and adults, Turner syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome.
HB Vaccine (Hepatitis B Vaccine)
- Type: Recombinant vaccine produced using yeast cells.
- Use: Provides immunity against Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
- Advantage: Helps prevent liver cirrhosis and cancer caused by HBV.

Applications of Genetic Recombination and Biotechnology in Pharmacy

Production of Recombinant Proteins:
- Production of insulin, growth hormones, and blood clotting factors.
Development of Vaccines:
- Recombinant DNA technology is used to develop safer and more effective vaccines (e.g., Hepatitis B vaccine).
Monoclonal Antibodies:
- Used in diagnostics, cancer therapy, and autoimmune disease treatment.
Gene Therapy:
- Genetic recombination techniques are utilized to introduce corrected genes into patients suffering from genetic disorders.
Production of Antibiotics and Enzymes:
- Genetic engineering allows for the efficient production of antibiotics and industrial enzymes.

MCQs on Genetic Recombination and Biotechnology

Genetic recombination refers to the process of:
- A) Gene mutation
- B) DNA replication
- C) DNA repair
- D) Exchange of genetic material between organisms
  Answer: D
Which of the following processes involves uptake of free DNA from the environment by bacterial cells?
- A) Conjugation
- B) Transduction
- C) Transformation
- D) Gene Cloning
  Answer: C
The transfer of genetic material through a bacterial pilus occurs in:
- A) Transformation
- B) Conjugation
- C) Transduction
- D) Hybridoma Technology
  Answer: B
Which type of genetic recombination requires a bacteriophage to transfer DNA?
- A) Transformation
- B) Conjugation
- C) Transduction
- D) Gene Cloning
  Answer: C
In transformation, bacteria that can take up DNA are termed:
- A) Transductants
- B) Competent
- C) Conjugants
- D) Receptive
  Answer: B
The F-plasmid is essential for which process of genetic recombination?
- A) Transformation
- B) Conjugation
- C) Transduction
- D) Protoplast Fusion
  Answer: B
The direct transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another through cell-to-cell contact is called:
- A) Transformation
- B) Conjugation
- C) Transduction
- D) Gene Splicing
  Answer: B
The transfer of random bacterial genes through a bacteriophage is known as:
- A) Generalized Transduction
- B) Specialized Transduction
- C) Transformation
- D) Conjugation
  Answer: A
Which of the following uses fusion of two cells without cell walls to create a hybrid?
- A) Conjugation
- B) Transformation
- C) Protoplast Fusion
- D) Gene Cloning
  Answer: C
Hybridoma technology is used for the production of:
- A) Polyclonal antibodies
- B) Monoclonal antibodies
- C) Antibiotics
- D) Hormones
  Answer: B
Which enzyme is commonly used to remove the cell wall in protoplast fusion?
- A) Amylase
- B) Lipase
- C) Cellulase
- D) Protease
  Answer: C
Which drug is a recombinant human insulin produced through biotechnology?
- A) Humulin
- B) Activase
- C) Humatrope
- D) Rituximab
  Answer: A
Gene cloning requires the insertion of DNA into a:
- A) Nucleus
- B) Vector
- C) Ribosome
- D) Lysosome
  Answer: B
Humatrope is a biotechnologically produced form of:
- A) Insulin
- B) Growth Hormone
- C) Erythropoietin
- D) Plasminogen activator
  Answer: B
Which process involves viral DNA integrating into bacterial DNA for gene transfer?
- A) Conjugation
- B) Specialized Transduction
- C) Transformation
- D) Gene Cloning
  Answer: B
A common method for creating identical copies of a gene in biotechnology is:
- A) Gene mutation
- B) Gene fusion
- C) Gene cloning
- D) Gene suppression
  Answer: C
HB Vaccine is produced using which of the following host cells?
- A) E. coli
- B) Human Cells
- C) Yeast Cells
- D) Bacteriophage
  Answer: C
In biotechnology, the fusion of B cells with myeloma cells results in:
- A) Hybridoma cells
- B) Transformed cells
- C) Conjugant cells
- D) Transductant cells
  Answer: A
What type of antibody is produced by hybridoma cells?
- A) Polyclonal
- B) Monoclonal
- C) Mixed antibodies
- D) Synthetic antibodies
  Answer: B
Which of the following drugs is used as a tissue plasminogen activator for blood clot treatment?
- A) Activase
- B) Humulin
- C) Humatrope
- D) Interferon
  Answer: A
Which method of genetic recombination is least likely to result in antibiotic resistance spread?
- A) Conjugation
- B) Transformation
- C) Transduction
- D) Spontaneous Mutation
  Answer: D
The production of recombinant vaccines involves which main technique?
- A) Transduction
- B) Protoplast fusion
- C) Gene cloning
- D) Electroporation
  Answer: C
Which biotechnological drug is a recombinant form of human growth hormone?
- A) Humulin
- B) Humatrope
- C) Hepatitis B Vaccine
- D) Rituximab
  Answer: B
In genetic recombination, the term “competence” refers to:
- A) The ability to resist antibiotics
- B) The ability to accept foreign DNA
- C) The ability to mutate spontaneously
- D) The ability to conjugate
  Answer: B
Which method can introduce DNA directly into a bacterial cell via a high-voltage pulse?
- A) Transformation
- B) Electroporation
- C) Conjugation
- D) Transduction
  Answer: B
Which of the following is true for monoclonal antibodies?
- A) Produced by hybridomas
- B) Polyvalent in nature
- C) Derived from multiple B-cell lines
- D) Useful in genetic recombination
  Answer: A
Recombinant DNA technology primarily involves the use of:
- A) Myeloma cells
- B) Plasmids as vectors
- C) Antibiotics
- D) Viruses only
  Answer: B
The bacteriophage-mediated gene transfer is called:
- A) Conjugation
- B) Transduction
- C) Transformation
- D) Hybridization
  Answer: B
The role of polyethylene glycol in protoplast fusion is to:
- A) Remove cell walls
- B) Fuse cell membranes
- C) Produce recombinant DNA
- D) Separate DNA strands
  Answer: B
Which of the following is a recombinant protein used to treat diabetes?
- A) Erythropoietin
- B) Humulin
- C) Somatropin
- D) Alteplase
  Answer: B
What is the main advantage of using yeast cells for recombinant protein production?
- A) Low production cost
- B) Fast growth rate
- C) Post-translational modifications similar to human cells
- D) Higher mutation rate
  Answer: C
Gene transfer using a bacterial pilus is known as:
- A) Transduction
- B) Transformation
- C) Conjugation
- D) Electroporation
  Answer: C
Which of the following is a recombinant DNA-derived clot-busting drug?
- A) Humulin
- B) Activase
- C) Humatrope
- D) Vaccinia
  Answer: B
What is the role of a plasmid in gene cloning?
- A) It cuts DNA
- B) It serves as a vector
- C) It fuses cells
- D) It is used to kill bacteria
  Answer: B
Hybridoma cells are used to produce which type of antibodies?
- A) Synthetic
- B) Recombinant
- C) Monoclonal
- D) Multivalent
  Answer: C